A LOVE of horses, punting and the famous Balmain Tigers rugby league club has enriched the life of Soldiers Point centenarian Millie Meadows.
A passion for all three pastimes runs deep in this evergreen and charming character, who is blessed with good health and a sense of humour.
The Regis Port Stephens resident celebrated two special milestones recently with family and friends; her 101st birthday and the 100th anniversary of her father William “Bailey” Meadows’ first grade career in the NSW Rugby Football League.
Bailey was aged only five when foundation club Glebe participated in the inaugural season of the NSWRL in 1908.
As a powerful and hard-working forward, he went on to chalk up seven top grade appearances for the 1925 Dirty Reds, in a season dominated by the undefeated Rabbitohs.
By Round 13, South Sydney was 10 points clear with five fixtures to play, prompting the NSWRFL to cut the season short (they introduced a finals system the following year).
The Dirty Reds finished in second spot after five wins.
Millie, the eldest of 12 children, speaks fondly of her father and his rugby league deeds.
She grew up in the Sydney suburbs of Glebe and Ryde as a staunch Balmain Tigers supporter and her passion for the game remains strong today as a big fan of the Wests Tigers in the National Rugby League.
Millie was born in 1924, the same year the Balmain club won its sixth NSWRFL premiership.
The following year, she attended her father’s matches with her mother Doris.
“I was only one year old when dad played first grade with the Dirty Reds but went along to matches at Wentworth Park and Birchgrove Oval with mum to watch him in action,” Millie told News Of The Area.
“My love of rugby league and the Tigers was spawned from those early years and later through my own family’s involvement with the game.”
Millie married William “Allen” Tonkin, a local soccer legend, and raised four children; sons David and Daryl and daughters Judy and Janine.
David played reserve grade rugby league with the Tigers after showing promise as a skilful half back or five eighth with Ryde United and Denistone clubs in the Balmain Junior League.
“Our connection with the Tigers intensified when David was promoted to the grade ranks and the family remain passionate supporters today.”
Judy and Janine were talented netballers in their heyday but black and gold still flows through their sporting veins.
Over the years Millie became good friends with Tigers legends such as Keith Barnes, Arthur Beetson, Wayne Pearce, Steve Roach, Benny Elias, Paul Sironen and a young centre named Terry Parker who figured in Balmain’s famous 1969 premiership victory over South Sydney at the Sydney Cricket Ground.
“The Parker family were close neighbours of ours in Glebe and Terry’s older brother Trevor was page boy at my wedding.
“I distinctly remember the black and gold decorations on the terrace houses in Glebe during Grand Final week in 1969 and the post match celebrations.”
She also has fond memories of Wests Tigers’ historic premiership triumph in 2005 and shaking the hands of champion Western Suburbs and Kangaroos half back Arthur Summons while leaning over the fence at the SCG after a grand final.
Millie was a regular spectator at Tigers’ matches at Leichhardt Oval and savoured the club’s success over the decades.
“The Tigers are a close knit rugby league community and have given me so much enjoyment as a fan.”
Millie has eight grandchildren and eleven great grandchildren and takes a big interest in their lives.
Her grandson Brett Papworth, a classy five eighth, played junior representative matches for Balmain in the Harold Matthews Cup and S.G. Ball Cup.
Millie also remembers attending the trots at Harold Park Paceway in Glebe as a young girl and visiting Sydney’s historic Capitol Theatre with her father.
She still enjoys a small flutter on the horse races with her Punters Club friends and either watching or listening to NRL matches.
On her 101st birthday she received a special gift from Regis Port Stephens staff member Leanne Redman – a retro Balmain Tigers guernsey which she wears with pride.
By Chris KARAS
